Vaca in HyperDrive
By Danny-Doan H. Nguyen
Andrew Vaca’s life is in hyperdrive. In fact, his new work “HyperDrive – A Celebration of Modern, Ballet and Jazz Dance” is being performed at California State University, Long Beach this month.
Vaca, assistant chair of the dance department, has been teaching at CSULB for 10 years. In addition, he is also a freelance choreographer who has choreographed for numerous jazz and modern dance companies. He works nationwide as a choreographer for the NBA and NFL dance teams — including the halftime show of the 2009 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, that featured Enrique Iglesias and Ciara — and as a competition adjudicator. He is excited about his work as director for “HyperDrive,” the spring faculty concert at CSULB.
The concert features choreography from five CSULB faculty members: Lorin Johnson; Susan McLain; Sophie Monat; Cyrus Parker-Jeannette, and Vaca, plus two guest artists — Frank Chaves, artistic director of River North Chicago Dance Company, and award-winning choreographer Marie de la Palme.
“This concert will show the Southern California dance community how strong the CSULB dance department is and present a program that showcases the blend of modern, ballet and jazz dances that is thriving,” said Vaca.
The concert promises to be a spectacular and fabulous show. De la Palme will stage one of her most memorable pieces, “The Cage,” a visually stunning blend of modern, ballet and acrobatics dance. Chaves’ piece, “Grusin Suite,” will be a classic, jazz-dance number. The dance choreographed by Vaca is an original 2003 piece and will blend modern and jazz dance. The pieces by McLain and Parker-Jeannette will show the dance training that students have learned. While the pieces by Johnson and Monat will be ballet works. Johnson will perform in McLain’s piece.
The decision to stage “HyperDrive” in the Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, rather than the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater (where the dance department usually performs), is that the Carpenter’s space permits more artistic and elaborate productions.
“The Carpenter Center is a larger venue that allows the students to perform on a higher scale, as it is an educational opportunity for the students to grow as performers, Vaca said, adding that all of the faculty and staff have been sacrificing to put on a show of this magnitude, and he is proud of the hard work they have put into the show. “We are really trying to make ‘HyperDrive’ a concert that both dance enthusiasts and novice dance viewers will find exciting and inspirational. We want to make Long Beach a bigger and more predominate part of the vast Southern California dance scene.”
“HyperDrive” will play April 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. on both nights. A Dance Alumni Night takes place on April 23, and the following evening, a VIP Dessert Reception and Showcase is planned to raise funds for the dance department and supplement the scholarship funds.
Caution: “HyperDrive” contains mature images and adult content, parental discretion is advised.
Tickets are $25 for the general public, $20 each for students and seniors, and $18 for groups of 12 or more. Parking is available for $5 (for patrons) in Lot #12. For tickets and information, visit www.csulb.edu/dance, or call (562) 985-7000 or (562) 985-4747.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
It’s time for the 4th Annual Q Film Festival Fundraiser, benefitting The Center Long Beach! Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans and Queer films brought right into our home town.
Tickets available online with package deals for saving money. Online ticket sales will be handled via will-call, after you’ve purchased them through PayPal’s secure server, print your receipt and bring it with you to the films you’re attending.
“All Film Access Pass”
Includes one admission to all 10 screenings, plus Pink Flamingos at The Art Theatre
$80 (Reg. $112)
“All Festival Access Pass”
Includes one admission to all 10 screenings, 3 Parties plus Pink Flamingos at The Art Theatre
$110 (Reg. $157)
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $8-12
depending on show and time.
DISCOUNT TICKETS $5
(Students & Adults over 60, must provide ID at will-call for discount. Workshop not included in packages. No discount on Parties/Workshop.)
FRIDAY, MAY 8
6:30 p.m.
DON’T GO – Feature
preceded by world premier, short film LET IT REIGN
Q & A with directors and cast members – facilitated Marie Cartier
Emcee: Carlease Burke
7:45 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
at THE CENTER
Entertainment, drinks, hors d’ouevres
9 p.m.
TRU LOVED – Feature
Q & A with director and cast members – facilitated by Robert Cano
11:30 p.m.
PINK FLAMINGOS –
at the Art Theatre
FREE when you buy an All Films Pass or a Weekend Pass! Enjoy the brand new, fully restored 35MM print!
SATURDAY, MAY 9
1 p.m.
WORKSHOP: How to Make Your First Short Film with Camrin Pitts at The Center. Films will be screened on the final night of the festival.
2 p.m.
BI THE WAY – Documentary
Panel discussion with Denise Penn
4 p.m.
FUN IN WOMEN’S SHORTS - Women’s Short Films
Q & A with director and cast members – facilitated by Marie Cartier
Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
5:30 p.m.
SHORTS PARTY at THE CENTER
Mixer with the filmmakers plus entertainment, drinks, hors d’oeuvres.
SATURDAY, MAY 9, cont.
6:30 p.m.
FUN IN MEN’S BRIEFS - Men’s Short Films
Q & A with director and cast – facilitated by Robert Cano & Camrin Pitts
Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
9 p.m.
WERE THE WORLD MINE – Feature, Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
SUNDAY, MAY 10
1:30 p.m.
A PLACE TO LIVE: THE STORY OF TRIANGLE SQUARE – Documentary
3:30 p.m.
FOR MY WIFE – Documentary
Preceded by short film
THE CONSTANT PROCESS
Q & A with directors and cast members – facilitated by Marie Cartier
6 p.m.
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT – Feature
Emcee: Lynda Montgomery
7 p.m.
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
at THE CENTER
Entertainment, drinks, hors d’ouevres
8 p.m.
NIKKI COLDWATER and
SHOWGIRLS, PROVINCETOWN, MA. – Documentary
Emcee: Lynda Montgomery
MONDAY–THURSDAY MAY 11-14
ELEVEN MINUTES –
Directed by Michael Selditch & Robert Tate, R-rated for language.
go to www.arttheatrelongbeach.com for screening times
Documentary about Jay McCarroll, winner of season one of Bravo’s Project Runway.